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Hours after a grand jury cleared an NYPD officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner, crowds gathered at the site on Staten Island where the 43-year-old father died as others began a silent "lie-down" protest at Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan and still others marched toward Times Square shouting, "I can't breathe!"

Some headed toward Rockefeller Center in an apparent effort to disrupt the tree lighting ceremony, but were unable to get past police. Later, demonstrators marched on the West Side Highway near the 40s and 50s, gridlocking it for blocks at a time. There were also backups at the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, the Lincoln Tunnel and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Crowds gathered at Times Square, Union Square and Foley Square following the grand jury's decision Wednesday not to indict NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo, who was seen on amateur video wrapping his hand around Garner's neck July 17 as the heavyset, asthmatic man gasped for air.

Protesters chanted "I can't breathe," as they rallied across New York City. Brynn Gingras reports

(Published Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014)

Around 30 people were arrested by late Wednesday night, police said. There have been no reports of injuries.

NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton said earlier in the week that the NYPD was anticipating protests and that the department had been preparing for them for months.

Extra patrols were deployed at Rockefeller Plaza, and to the site of the chokehold in Tompkinsville, Staten Island, where several protesters rallied outside a store chanting, "No justice, no peace." A police spokesman said mobile units were in place to respond to protests developing across the city.

City officials and business owners pleaded for calm, "constructive" demonstrations.

"We all agree that demonstrations and free speech are valuable contributions to debate, and that violence and disorder are not only wrong -- but hurt the critically important goals we are trying to achieve together," Mayor de Blasio said shortly after the grand jury decision was announced.

Protesters like Doug Brinson said they were shocked by the lack of indictment.

Crowds protesting the grand jury's decision not to indict an NYPD officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner marched in Manhattan chanting, "I can't breathe," the words Garner was captured on video saying before he died.

(Published Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014)

“Not to indict the man is like a double slap in your face,” Brinson said. “It’s like stomping you down on the ground.”

Operators of some local businesses said they were more worried about outsiders causing trouble than Staten Island residents.

“If you worry about people coming from outside Staten Island, like agitators, that could be bad,” said Ed Varoulo of Hypno-Tronic comics on Stuyvesant Place. “I think it’s good as long as we don’t have to pull the gates down and close early.”